Paul Put’s belief in locally based players continues with the number on the Uganda Cranes team impressive every other international window.
During his first competitive games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Botswana and Algeria in June, the Belgian summoned 11 players from the Uganda Premier League.
That number dropped to eight in the September international window and it was understandable because some of the players embarked on professional careers.
Muhammad Shaban and Kenneth Ssemakula left KCCA and Villa for Al Hilal SC, Benghazi and Club Africain in Libya and Tunisia, respectively.
The number of players summoned from the UPL by Put shot high again into double figures with 10 in the latest Uganda Cranes squad.
Vipers’ Allan Okello is now a mainstay in the national team with the same applying to Villa captain Ronald Ssekiganda and Kitara striker Denis Omedi.
KCCA’s Saidi Mayanja, Villa’s Arnold Odongo, and Kitara’s Jude Ssemugabi have been maintained from the previous squad.
BUL and KCCA defenders Nicholas Mwere and Gavin Kizito Mugweri bounce back from the squad that was summoned in the June international window.
Meanwhile, KCCA striker Derrick Nsibambi returns to the national team but for the first time under Put.
Kasasiro Boys’ Shafik Nana Kwikiriza is the other player Put has summoned for the first time and is also in the national team for his maiden time.
